Over and Over

Mirrors

ABUJA,
NIGERIA.

NARRATOR'S POV

"Which fiancé, kuma?" Layla asked, tilting her head with a playful glint in her eye, clearly forgetting her earlier prank.

Imam's brow furrowed in confusion. "You literally just told me you were getting married," he said, his voice laced with disbelief.

"Oh, that?" Layla chuckled, her dimples deepening as she spoke. "I was joking. Just wanted to get back at you for earlier."

Imam's jaw dropped slightly, but his eyes stayed fixed on her, studying the way her laughter lit up her face.

"Ya Allah, this girl is going to drive me insane," he thought, captivated by the way her deep brown eyes shimmered with mischief.

"Who makes jokes like that, Layla?" he finally said, giving her a skeptical glance, though the corners of his lips threatened to curve into a reluctant smile.

"Me," she replied simply, laughing as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Imam exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Alright, but if you're not getting married, why are you heading to the mall to buy wedding clothes?" he pressed, his tone softening as he struggled to keep his composure under her spell.

Layla turned to look at him, her gaze thoughtful. For a fleeting moment, she considered teasing him again, but something about the way he looked at her made her reconsider.

"I'm going to a wedding," she admitted finally, a small, teasing smile still lingering.

"Whose wedding?" he asked, his curiosity evident.

"I don't even know," she replied, giggling. "It's in Kano, though."

"Kano," he repeated, his voice dropping slightly. "Funny. I also have a wedding to attend there next week."

Layla's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her face neutral. "Please let it be the same one," she thought, though she didn't dare voice it aloud.

Imam glanced at her briefly, his thoughts mirroring hers.

"Let's hope we run into each other," he said, his tone carrying more meaning than the words themselves.

Layla smiled softly, her cheeks warming. "Well, if you're offering, you can help me pick an outfit," she said lightly, breaking the tension that had started to settle between them.

"Deal," Imam replied instantly, shifting gears and speeding up slightly as if trying to match the racing of his own heart.

Yasmin, who had been sitting silently in the back, cleared her throat loudly.

"Excuse me, but what am I here for?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Imam didn't miss a beat. "You'll be our guide," he said confidently, taking charge of the

The trio entered the bustling mall, and it wasn't long before Layla began to draw attention.

Heads turned, and people whispered as she walked past, her elegance undeniable.

Imam felt his jaw tighten with every glance directed her way.

He finally broke his silence. "Layla, could you—" He paused, lowering his voice. "Could you adjust your veil? Too many people are staring."

Layla blinked, caught off guard by his commanding tone, but she complied without protest.

Yasmin smacked him lightly on the back. "Seriously?" she hissed.